Ignition timer



March 15A, 1927.

H. L. JOYCE IGNITION TIMER Filed Jan. 25, 1926 INVENTOR #Alema L forca A TOHNE Patented Mar. l5, 1927.

UNITED STA'ES PAIEJNI QFFICE.

HAROLD L. JOYCE, 0F EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TIFFANY MANU- FACTURING COMPANY,

OF NEVJ'ARK, NEW' JERSEY.

IGNITION TIT'IER.

Application filed January 23, 1925. Serial No. 83,216.

This invention relates to a timer, particularly adapted for ignition purposes, especially for application to an internal combustion engine of the Ford type.

. It is one of the objects of my .invention to provide a timer, which is light, and cheap to manufacture yet, one that is ecient.

Another object of my invention, is to provide a. timer, in which the ring, on which the movable contact operates, is so constructed as to insure high degree of insulating characteristics.

These and other objects will be apparent to one familiar with devices of this kind.

My invention will be clearly understood by reading the specification taken in connection with the annexed drawing, wherein:

Figure l, is an assembled view of the timer, showing the rotary contact member in position.

Figure 2, is a section on the line 2 2, of Figure 3, but wi-th the contact ring in position within the shell.

Figure 3, is a view of the open end of the shell before the contact ring is mounted therein.

Figure 4, is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5, is an end view of a modilied form of the ring.

Figure 6, is a side view of a further modified form of a sectional ring.

Figure 7, is a. plan view of the end of Figure 6, while,

. Figure 8, is a fragmentary view showing a lever attached to the time shell.

Referring now to the details, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, l is a shell, preferably made of sheet metal, and for this purpose, I have found steel to be very satisfactory.

In forming the shell a'plurality of indentations or bosses 2, corresponding to the number of engine cylinders are formed inwardly on the rim portion of the shell. Symmetrically positioned between the bosses 2, the rim of the shell is provided with perforations 3, to receive the contact studs 4, which are fastened to contact plates 5. Mounted within the shell is insulating ring 6, preferably made of one piece of suitable insulating material, such as fiber, the insulating ring 6, may be made from a piece of tubing or from sheet or strip liber, that is formed into the shape of a ring.' In either case the iiber is of the roll type, thereby having preferably on both sides but at least on one side its original tough skin which will be later referred to. The ring 6, has a plurality of symmetrically spaced portions 7, offset from the inner or tracking surface 8, of the ring. The contact plates or members 5, are aoapted to lit within the recesses obtained by forming the offset portions 7, and these come flush with the tracking surface 8.

Those portions ofthe ring 6, between the offset portions 7, lie over the bosses 2, thereby locking the ring securely in position within the shell.

As shown in Figure l, the insulating ring 6, is made without any break or split in its wall and is adapted to be made from a piece of tube stock.

In Figure 5, the ring 6, is made from sheet material but comprises one piece having a joint at 9, preferably arranged so as to come adjacent one ofthe holes for a stud t.

If it is desired, the ring 6, may be made up of two pieces of pressed insulating material, preferably of unequalled arcs; or the ring may be composed of four sectors constructed as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

In either case, the ring is substantially of uniform thickness, throughout its periphery, and is made as has already been pointed out, from material that can be punched land pressed to the desired shape, thereby eliminating a great deal of machine labor, required on the prior art structures, with which I am familiar.

The insulating ring produced by my con; struction gives one having at least the surface next to the shell provided with its original tough skin, which is highly advantageous, as it is a well known fact that this outside skin has much more resistance, than an insulator that has its surface removed by milling or other machine operations.

The holes l0, through the ring are punched instead of being drilled as' the ordinary construction and likewise all of the holes and other openings in the shell 1.

The shell 1, is provided with rectangular shaped holes 11, to receive the en'ds of the lever 12, by which theI timer may be rotated about the operating shaft 13.

The shell is also provided with a hole 1-1, for the insertion of a. lubricant, and a depression 15, formed in the end of the shell is to receive the usual retaining` strap found on Ford cars. As shown in Figure 1, the rotary contact member 16, is adapted to be operated by a sha-ft 13, and as it is rotated, contact is made with the various contacts 5, already described.

It will be understood that my invention is susceptible to certain changes for example; when a split ring is used insulating collars may be litted around the studs A, and positioned in the notches 17, which construction will prevent lateral motion of the split ends of the ring, at the same time these collars will assistin sealing the joints.

From what has been said it will be seen that l have provided timer which is strong and durable, yet one which is highly efficient in operation, and cheap to manufacture.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

1. A timer including ay housing, a ring of insulating material supported within said housing, said ring being of substantially uniform thickness but having a plurality of tracking surfaces and sectors alternately offset therefrom, contact plates positioned between said tracking surfaces over sai-d offset sectors and flush with said surfaces, said offset sectors being .substantially the same aicuate length as said contact plate and terminal studs for said contact plates extending` through the ring and beyond the outer surface of the housing but insulated from the housing.

2. A timer Yincluding a housingY g, a ring of :insulating material supported within said housing, said ring being of substantially uniform thickness but having a. plurality of tracking surfaces and sectors alternately olfset therefrom, contact plates 'positioned betweensaid'tracking surfaces over said offset sectors and flush with said surfaces and terminal studs for said contact plates extending throughthe ring and beyond the outer surface of the housing but insulated from the housing, said'housing having means fitting 'between said offset sectors for the purpose described.

"3. A vtimer including a punched housing 'having a plurality ofy symmetrically spaced `inwardly projecting bosses, a ringof insulated material of substantially uniform thickness formed to fit over said bosses, contact fplates fitting the inner contour of the ring, betweensaid'bosses so as to provide a smooth surface with those portions of the ring lying over said bosses and terminal studs for said contact plates extending through the ring and beyond the outer surface of the housing but insulated from the housing. Y

et. A timer including a housing, a one piece ring of insulating material supported within said housing, said ring being ofcsubstantially uniform thickness but having portions alternately displaced from the inner periphery of the ring, contact plates positioned over said displaced portions so as to be flush with the inner surface of the ring and means extending through the housing for making electrical connection with each contact plate.

5. A timer including a metal housing having a. plurality of symmetrically spaced inwardly projection bosses, a one piece ring of insulating material of substantially uniform thickness formed to fit over and between said bosses, contact plates positioned on the ring between the bosses and flush with those portions of the ring,over the bosses and means extending through the housing for making electrical connection with each cont-act plate.

6. A timer including a metal housing having a plurality of symmetrically Vspaced inwardly projecting bosses, a ring formed of insulating material of substantially uniform thickness,-said ring having at least one-split end fitting over and between sai-d bosses, contact plates positioned-on the ringV between the bosses and flush with those portions of the ring over the bosses and means extending through the housing for making electrical connection with each contact plate.

7. A timer including a' metal housing having a plurality of symmetrically spaced inwardly projecting bosses, a ring ofinsulating material of substantially uniform thickness formed from rolledstock to lit over and between said bosses, Contact plates positione-d on the ring betweenY the bosses and flush with those portionsof theV ring over the bosses and means extending through the housing for making electrical connection with each contact plate.

8. A timer including a metal housing having a plurality of symmetrically spaced inwardly project-ing bosses, a ring of insulating material of substantially uniform thickness formed to lit over and between said bosses, said ring being so formed for assembly as to retainV on both sides thereof its natural outsidev skin, contact plates positioned on the ring between the bosses and flush with those portions'of the ring over the bosses and means extending through the housing for making electrical connection with each Contact plate.

9. For a timer, having a housing, a one piece ring of insulating material of substantially `uniform thickness having portions other portions to receive Contact plates, and and having other portions to receive Contact Contact plates held in position in said other plates for completing the balance of said portions. Contact track, and Contact plates held in po- 10 10. For a timer, having a housing, a. one sition on said other portions. 5 piece ring of insulating material of substan- In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature.

tially uniform thickness having portions formed to constitute part of a Contact track HAROLD L. JGYCE. 

